Record Drug Bust Turns Up Enough Fentanyl to Kill 32 Million People

The largest fentanyl seizure to date in New York City, yielding enough fentanyl to kill 32 million people, was discovered in an apartment in Queens, according to city investigators. Given that a dose of fentanyl weighing two to three milligrams can be deadly, the 140 pounds of pure fentanyl seized in this case alone was enough fentanyl to kill 32 million people.

Massive Drug Bust

Photo: NBC New York

Authorities say they seized 270 pounds of narcotics, including the 140 pounds of pure fentanyl. The haul had a street value of over $30 million. Altogether, there were 97 packages of narcotics covered in plastic wrap and tape, Bridget Brennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor for New York City, told local sources.

The record-breaking quantity of fentanyl, packed in four suitcases and a purse, was found with other narcotics like cocaine and heroin that had already been laced with fentanyl.

“The sheer volume of fentanyl pouring into the city is shocking,” said Prosecutor Brennan. “It’s not only killing a record number of people in New York City, but the city is used as a hub of regional distribution for a lethal substance that is taking thousands of lives throughout the Northeast.”

Indeed, overdoses are spiking, partly because of illicitly manufactured fentanyl and other similar drugs entering the U.S. illegally. In fact, the number of fatal overdoses far outpaces the number of homicides in Queens, said District Attorney Richard Brown.

“We are facing a new and increasingly deadly crisis in our communities,” he said. “These two investigations that led to the seizure of these drugs will undoubtedly save lives and we will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to combat this growing epidemic.”

Authorities Discover Enough Fentanyl to Kill 32 Million People

This record bust comes on the heels of last month’s raid, during which feds uncovered a drug mill near Central Park and seized enough fentanyl “to kill half of the population of New York City.”

A dangerously strong synthetic opioid, fentanyl is nearly 50 times stronger than heroin and is increasingly found mixed into illicit narcotics. Four people are under arrest in the Queens fentanyl bust. Meanwhile, in the Bronx, authorities said they seized 55 pounds of fentanyl and heroin from a stopped vehicle near Yankee Stadium.